Freak weather conditions saw a tornado hit New York City on Saturday, as the National Weather Service issued a storm warning for a corridor stretching across the north-eastern US.

An advisory issued by the government department suggested that there was a risk of severe thunderstorms in states stretching from South Carolina up through New England.

Meanwhile, in beachfront region of Queens, New York, some residents experienced the rare occurrence of a twister hitting the city.

The tornado made brief landfall at Breezy Point, on the Rockaway Peninsula, before drifting back out to sea.

The twister hurled debris in the air and knocked out power for some started residents not used to seeing this particular strain of inclement weather outside their window.

Videos taken by bystanders showed a funnel cloud hurling sand, and possibly small pieces of buildings, into the air as it moved through the peninsula.

"It was crazy," said neighbourhood resident Joseph Mure, who was in the shower when the storm hit, and went outside to snap a picture of the retreating funnel. "There were a lot of sirens going off. You could see it twisting."

Thomas Sullivan, general manager of the Breezy Point Surf Club, said the twister ripped up cabanas and deck chairs.

"A lot of rain, a lot of wind," he said. "It picked up picnic benches. It picked up Dumpsters."

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Queens and Brooklyn as the storm moved through the city. But it expired at 11.30am without any reoccurrence.

Nevertheless, heavy rains disrupted the start of play in the final weekend of the US Open, held in Queens. Once the opening men's semi-final was underway, strong winds saw Andy Murray and his opponent Tomas Berdych struggle during ball tosses.